Combination lock



C. E. HUFF. COMBINATION LOCK. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1919.

1,403,783, Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- I2 gag Y 6 @MW-M C. E. HUFF. COMBINATION LOCK.APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12. 1919.

Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEE T 2.

Charla E H igymw @WZW @wmg PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLIE E. HUFF, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

COMBINATION LOCK.

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 17, 1922.

Application filed June 12, 1919. Serial No. 303,675.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLIE E. HUFF, a citizen of the United States,residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and tate of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Locks, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to combination locks, and has for its particularobject to provide an improved combination lock suitable for use as ananti-theft device for automobiles, or for controlling electricalcircuits of any kind, such as lighting circuits, or signal circuits.

In one form my invention is here shown as applied to the battery andignition system of an automobile, the specific arrangement of theapplication of the invention being for illustrative purposes only, andit will be understood that various modifications can be made thereofwithout departing from the underlying principle and the spirit of theinvention.

As applied to automobiles, the invention is directed to the solution ofthe problem of preventing unauthorized use and theft of automobiles. Inthis respect the present lock is an improvement over various other typesof locks and anti-theft devices which are now extensively used in viewof the common and growing practice of stealing or temporarilyappropriating automobiles.

As here shown my approved lock is con nected to the battery and ignitioncircuit of an automobile in such a manner that both the battery andignition circuits may be controlled.

The lock consists of a plurality of combination number disks cooperatingwith a lock barrel, and a lock stem which controls the circuit contacts,there being in the preferred form of the lock as here shown, also a dialand a pointer cooperating therewith to indicate the on and off positionsof the switch.

The number disks of the locks may consist of two or more disks used incombination, disks of different diameters being used preferably toenablemore ready manipulation thereof. In the preferred form the disksare provided with peripheral bands in which the numerals 0 to 9 areformed, each band being adjustable to ten operable positions relative toa fixed point on the disk.

Thus two disks used in combination are capable of adjustments to effectone hundred different combinations, and three disks to effect onethousand different combinations. By this arrangement the owner oroperator of a machine may effect a change of combination in the lock atwill by adjusting one or more of the disks.

In the accompanying drawings:

1 ljlig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete Fig. 2 is a longitudinalcross section of the same, taken substantially through the centerthereof;

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the lock casing and barrel Fig. 4 is a planview of the inner end of the lock casing showing the manner of arrangingthe electrical contacts relative to the adjustable lock stem;

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the lock stem;

Fig. 6 is a detail of one of the combination number disks;

' V F ig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the number disk shown in Fig.6.

Referring to the drawings, the lock casing consists preferably of ahollow cylindrical extension 1 in which the electrical contacts aresupported, the lock barrel 2, base or partition wall 3 and a. mountingflange 4. intermediate the cylindrical extension and the barrel, bymeans of which the casing may be attached in any suitable manner to theinstrument board, or other suitable part of an automobile, the outerface of the flange, as here shown, being used as an in dicator dial 6upon which the positions of the lock stem 7 relative to the electricalcontacts may be indicated.

The lock barrel 2 has a longitudinal aperture 8 extending therethroughin which the stem 7 is slidably and rotatively mounted. Extendinglongitudinally in the lock barrel and through the base wall 3 of thecasing. and communicating with the longitudinal aperture 8 is a slot 9and communicating therewith laterally in one direction are parallelslots 10. The stem 7 is provided with radially extending pins 11arranged in longitudinal alinement with the slot 9 when the stem is in aposition to be moved longitudinally in the barrel and adapted in onelongitudinal position of the stem to register with the slots 10 when thestem is rotated, the pins being equal in number to the slots, andadapted in another longitudinal position to contact with the wall of thebarrel adjacent the slot 9 to prevent rotative movement of the stem inthe oppo site direction. The stem 7 is providedwith a suitable. knob orfinger hold '7 by means 7 of which it may be readily adjusted to thevarious longitudinal and rotative positions, and 1s fiIIthGT PIOVIClQClwith a pointer secured to the stem by an angularly shaped part thereofas illustrated which admits of relative longitudinal motion but norelative rotary motion, and the pointer is operated througha slot 3 inthe partition 3 to indicate the several positions of the stem on thedial 6. i

The inner end of the lock stem '7. within 7 the cylinder 1, is providedwith a head of insulating material 12 which is secured to the stem bymeans of a suitable lock nut 13. Secured in the end of the insulatingmaterial is a contact element 14 which cooperates, respectively, whenthe stem 7 is rotated, with contacts 15 and 16, secured 1n a suitablemounting of insulating material 17, which maybe supported in anysuitable manner in the cylinder 1. contacts 15 and 16 are secured to themounting 17 by the usual terminal posts18 and wires 19 and 20 serve toconnect the posts and the respective contacts to the battery andignition circuits.

The combination number a body portion 21 having a concentric depression22 formed therein and an aperture 23 extending through the remainingportion thereof, thus forming at the bottom of the depression an annularflange 24 having a slot 25 therein. One face 26 ofthe disk issubstantially fiat, the opposite face 27 having a raised portion 28formed therein which acts tospa'ce one disk from another as the disksare assembled on the lock stem.

In the periphery of the disks a groove 29 is formed, and a detachablerim or band 30 is adjustably secured th'ereover. Set screws 31fcooperatewith the groove 29 to hold thebands in any adjusted position on thedisk, the band having the numerals 0 to 9 formed in its periphery. 7

When the J number disks wall 3 and the disk of smallest diameterfarthest removed therefrom, such arrangement of the disks being the mostconvenient lation with the barrel 2 the slot 25 of each disk will be inalinement with the longitudinal-slot 9 and the depression 22 of eachdisk will be in alinement with one of the slots. 10. ,Thusfwhen the lockstem 7 is moved longitudinally-in the barrel the pins The disks consistof 7 are assembled onthe barrel 2, the disk of largest diameter ispreferably placed adjacent the partition 7 portion of the disk.

11 will pass freely throughthe slot 9 and the slots 25 and when the stemis rotated in its inner posit on to effect the on and off positionsthereof relative to the conlock barrel to move the contact element 1-2out of the plane of operative relation with the contacts 15 and16,.untileach pin 11 'egisters with the space 22 of the adjacent disk.The alinement orcombination of the lock may thenbe thrown-out or changedby rotating one or more of the disks on the barrel, thus serving toefiectually render the switch and the electrical circuits which itcontrols inoperative until the disks-are again moved into properalinement, as determined by the particular combination to which the lockis adjusted, when the lock stem may again be moved to its inner positionand rendered operative as above described relative to the contacts 15and 16. 7

From the foregoingcdetailed description the construction and operationof improved lock will .be readily understood. 1 It will be observed thatthe lock may be applied, as here shown, for controlling one or moreelectrical circuits and thus be doubly 1 effective as an anti-theftdevice, as the use of supplemental wire connections commonly practisedby automobile thieves is thus rendered impossible or at leastimpracticable.

The lock is of simple substantial construction and is not likely to berendered out of adjustment by use or tampering thereof.

The wide range of combination adjustments that may be made of the locksby individual owners or operators affords ample protection againstincidental or accidental knowledge that maybe obtained relative to anycombination used, as the combination may be conveniently changed asdesired by the operator. thus rendering the locks'as effec tive fortheir use as the mosteffective combination locks used generally.

The number bands 21 are made to lit the body of the combination disksclosely to cause the disksto rotat'eho'n the lock barrel 2 as anintegral part irrespective ofthe set screws 31. Thus in either the in orout position ofthe stem .7 it will be impossible to effect a change'inthe position of the number bands relative to the central or supporting 7To change the com-' bination, it isnecessary to know the combination towhich the lock is set, then the stem 7 may be moved to an intermediatepoint in the longitudinal slot 9, thereby locking all of the numberdisks against rotative movement, and thus enabling adjust ment of thenumber bands to effect a change in the combination, the set screws 31serving to prevent accidental displacement of the number bands relativeto the inner disk. This arrangement serves to prevent tampering of thelock by individuals not knowing the combination.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent. is z 1. In a circuit controlling lock, thecom bination, with an electrical circuit, of a circuit maker and breakeradjustable rotatably to effect on or off relations with said circuit,and adapted to be moved longitudinally to a position of inoperativevrelation therewith, a plurality of disks cooperating with said memberand adjustable relative thereto to lock the same in said inoperativeposition.

2. In a circuit controlling lock, the combination, with an electricalcircuit, of a circuit maker and breaker adjustable rotatably to effecton,and off relations with said circuit, and adapted to be movedlongitudinally to a position of'ino'perative relation therewith, aplurality of disks cooperating with said member and adapted in oneposition to permit movement of said member out of said position, and inother positions to prevent movement thereof into said position.

3. In a circuit controlling lock, the com bination, with an electricalcircuit, of a circuit maker and breaker adjustable rotatably to effecton and off relations with said circuit and adapted to be moved longitudinally to a position of inoperative relation therewith, a plurality ofdisks cooperating with said member and adjustable relative thereto tolock the same in said inoperative position, and numbers on said disks toindicate their positions relative .to said member.

4. In a circuit controlling lock, the combination, with an electricalcircuit, of a circuit maker and breaker adjustable rotatably to effecton and off relations with said circuit and adapted to be moved lcngitudinally to a position of inoperative relation therewith, a plurality ofdisks cooperating with said member and, adjustable relative hereto tolock the same in said inoperative position, and numbers on said disksadjustable to various combinations to indicate the positions of thedisks relative to said member.

In a circuit controlling lock, the combination, with an electricalcircuit, of a circuit maker and breaker adjustable rotatably to effecton and of? relations with said circuit and adapted to be movedlongitudinally to a position of inoperative relation therewith, aplurality of disks cooperating with said member and adjustable relativethereto to lock the same in said inoperative position, and a dialcooperating with said member to indicate the respective positionsthereof relative to said connections.

6. In a circuit controlling lock, the combination, with anelectricalcircuit. of a circuit maker and breaker adjustable rotatably to efiecton and off relations with said circuit and adapted to be movedlongitudinally to a position of inoperative relation therewith, aplurality of disks cooperating with saidmember and adjustable relativethereto to lock the same in said inoperative position, numbers on saiddisks to indicate their positions relative to said member, and a dialcooperating with said member to indicate the respective positionsthereof relative to said connections.

7 In a circuit controlling lock, the combination, with an electricalcircuit, of a circuit maker and breaker adjustable rotatively to effecton and ofi relations with said circuit and adjustable longitudinally toa position of inoperative relation with said circuit, and a plurality ofdisks cooperating with said member and adjustable relative thereto tolock the same in said inoperative position. i Q j y 8. In a circuitcontrolled combination lock, an apertured member having a longitudinaland a plurality of lateral slots therein, a stem rotatably andlongitudinally operable in said aperture to effect a connection in saidcircuit or to break the same to effect contact with said circuit andhaving a corresponding plurality of alined projections operaole in saidlongitudinal slot when the stem is moved longitudinally and operable inthe lateral slots when the stem is rotated, a plurality of disks mountedon said member and cooperating with said stem whereby in one position ofthe disks to permit free longitudinal movement of the stem and in otherpositions of the disks to prevent longitudinal movement thereof.

9. In a circuit controlled combination lock, an apertured member havinga longitudinal and a plurality of lateral slots therein, a stemrotatably and longitudinally operable in said aperture to effect aconnection in said circuit or to break the same to effect contact withsaid circuit and having a corresponding plurality of alined projectionsoperable in said longitudinal slot when the stem is moved longitudinallyand operable in the lateral slots when the stem is rotated, a pluralityof disks mounted on said member and cooperating with said stem wherebyin one position of the disks to permit free longitudinal movement of thestem and in other positions of the disks to prevent longitudinalmovement thereof, and numbers on said disks whereby the position of thedisks may be determined in which said stem may be moved longitudinall'therethrough.

10. In a circuit contro led combination lock,

said circuit or to break the same to effect contact with said circuitand having a corresponding plurality of alined projections operable insaid longitudinal slot when the stem is moved longitudinally andoperable in the lateral slots when the stem is rotated, a plurality ofdisks mounted on said member and cooperating with said stem whereby inone position of the disks to permit free longitudinal movement of thestem and in other positions ofthe disks to prevent longitudinal movementthereof, and numbers on said disks adjustable to various combinationswhereby the position of the disks may be determined in which said stemmay be moved longitudinally therethrough.

11. In a circuit controlled combination lock, an apertured member havinga longitudinal and a; plurality of lateral slots therein, a stemrotatably and longitudinally operable in said aperture to effect aconnection in said circuit or to break the same to effect contact withsaid circuit and having a corresponding plurality of alin'ed projectionsoperable in said longitudinal slot when the stem is moved longitudinallyand operable in the lateral slots when the stem is rotated, a pluralityof disks mounted on said member and cooperating with said stem wherebyin one position of the disksto permit free longitudinal movement of thestem and in other positions of the disks to preventlongibe movedlongitudinally therethrough, and

a dial'cooperating with said stem to indicate the rotative positionsthereof.

12. In a circuit controlled combination lock,

an a'pertured member having a longitudinal and a plurality of lateralslots therein, a stem rotatably and longitudinally operable in saidaperture to effect a connection in v 7 said circuit or to break the sameto effect contact with sald c rcult and having a corresponding pluralityof alined projections op- I erable in said longitudinal slot when thestem is moved longitudinally and operable in the lateral slots when thestem is rotated,

a plurality of disks mounted on said member and cooperating with saidstem whereby in one position of the disks to permit free longitudinalmovement of the stem and in other positions of the disks to preventlongitudinal movement thereof, and a dial cooperating with said stem toindicate the rotative positions thereof. 7

13. In a circuit controlling combination lock,

a lock barrel and a plurality of'disks rotatably mounted thereon, a stemlongitudinally and rotata-bly operable in said'barrel to effectconnections in said circuit and'to break the same to effect'contact withsaid circuit and cooperating with said disks, number bands adjustablysecured to said disks, and means to move the said stem to preventmovement of the disks relative to said barrel whereby a change in thecombination of said lock may be effected by changing the position of thenumber bands relative to said disks. In testimony whereof, I afiix mysignature;

CHARLIE E. HUFF. 7

